How does cranberry affect blood pressure - does it increase or decrease it? Useful properties, recipes for hypertension to lower blood pressure

Cranberry is considered one of the effective folk remedies used for the treatment and prevention of many diseases. In Rus' it was called the berry of life, due to its unique healing properties. And this is confirmed by research: cranberry fruits retain their properties throughout the winter period and are a supplier of vitamins and valuable substances.

It is not surprising that people suffering from high or low blood pressure are interested in the question: does cranberry increase or decrease blood pressure? How to take the gift of nature with maximum benefit without causing harm to the body? We will try to answer these and other questions that interest our readers.

Effect on blood pressure: does it increase or decrease?

To answer the question: does cranberry increase or decrease blood pressure, you should consider its beneficial properties for people suffering from hypertension. To do this, let us turn to the studies that were conducted by scientists. People suffering from high blood pressure took part in a scientific experiment. According to the conditions of the experiment, some patients included the fruits of the plant in their diet, leaving their lifestyle unchanged.

The second group of people took only medications, and the third combined medications with cranberries. After a month, a medical examination allowed us to draw an unequivocal conclusion: in people who included cranberries in their diet, their blood pressure stabilized.

How can one explain such a miraculous healing? The fact is that the substances that make up the berry have a pronounced diuretic effect. This feature of cranberries allows you to effectively remove excess fluid from the body and, in particular, from the bloodstream, reducing the overall volume of blood flow, which inevitably reduces blood pressure.

Moreover, if a person consumes cranberries in parallel with antihypertensive drugs, the effects of the drugs are enhanced. However, lasting results can be achieved by including the fruits of the plant in your daily diet.

How cranberries work to lower blood pressure when used regularly.

• relieves vascular spasm, expanding the lumens and making the walls strong and elastic;
• stabilizes cholesterol levels: promotes the resorption of old cholesterol plaques, preventing the formation of new ones;
• Having a diuretic effect, it removes excess fluid, reducing the total blood volume.

Based on the above, a conclusion should be drawn: people with low blood pressure are required to limit the consumption of cranberries.

A large amount of cranberries in the diet can lead to a sharp decrease in blood pressure, causing general malaise and dizziness.

So, can cranberry become the main method of treatment or is it advisable to use it to prevent high blood pressure? If you belong to the category of people suffering from hypertension, it is advisable to use a product daily, the main component of which is cranberry.

And also read on our website: How does ginger root affect a person’s blood pressure: does it increase or decrease? Useful properties and recipes

The hypotensive effect will persist for some time, even after finishing taking the medicinal plant. However, you should not completely remain without medications. You can get a qualified answer from your attending physician, who has complete information about your state of health and physiological characteristics.

If you are taking medications and cranberry fruits at the same time, you should consult a doctor.

Chemical composition

Frozen berries

The use of cranberries for hypertension and other diseases has brought positive results since ancient times. Doctors recommend comprehensive treatment of the heart and blood vessels, where a certain place is given to herbal medicine and diet. The medicinal properties of the berries are determined by their chemical composition.

Cranberry contains:

1. A large amount of vitamins (C, B1, B2, B5, B6, PP. K) and minerals (a lot of potassium and iron, iodine, phosphorus, copper, boron, cobalt, zinc and other trace elements.);
2. Organic acids . Cranberries contain the most citric acid, and less succinic and oxalic acid. In addition, the content of the following acids should be noted: malic, benzoic, oleic, quinic, α-ketoglutaric, ursolic (reduces vascular tone, which helps lower blood pressure), ellagic (reduces the likelihood of developing oncology, reduces blood pressure, accelerates the healing and healing of bleeding wounds ) and others;
3. Carbohydrates are represented by natural sugars, of which fructose and glucose are the most abundant. Cranberries contain significantly less sucrose. Among the polysaccharides, it is important to note the presence of pectin substances, which reduce the negative manifestations of arteriosclerosis and help cleanse blood vessels of cholesterol plaques;
4. Tanning compounds enhance regeneration processes and antibacterial protection;
5. Flavonoids have powerful antioxidant properties, so consuming cranberries reduces the likelihood of developing cancer. This substance slows down cell aging and strengthens vascular walls;
6. Quercetin exhibits antihistamine properties, reduces inflammation and spasms, accelerates the subsidence of swelling during injuries and inflammation;
7. In addition to the named compounds, berries contain catechins, anthocyanins, betaines, carotenoids, leukoanthocyanins and phenolic acids . All these substances also have a positive effect on health.

Note. In cranberries, the content of ascorbic acid is as high as in strawberries and citrus fruits, and the level of phylloquinone (vitamin K) is no less than in white cabbage and wild strawberries.

Beneficial features

We have already mentioned some of the properties of this unique plant, however, I would like to dwell on this issue in more detail and list the beneficial properties of the plant, due to which blood pressure is lowered. So, how does cranberry affect a person?

• Lowers cholesterol levels: the formation of cholesterol plaques slows down, which leads to a reduction in bad cholesterol.
• It has anti-inflammatory properties. Organic acids and microelements included in the plant prevent inflammatory processes.
• Strengthens the walls of blood vessels thanks to flavonoids. At the same time, the heart muscle is strengthened, improving blood circulation and normalizing blood pressure.
• Reduces the risk of blood clots. The acids included in the composition help thin the blood, preventing the formation of a blood clot.
• Provides vasodilation - the main condition for lowering blood pressure.
• Stabilizes metabolic processes, thereby reducing weight and eliminating toxins.
• It has an analgesic effect and helps overcome the characteristic symptom of hypertension - headache.

Speaking about the beneficial properties of cranberries, one cannot ignore the chemical components contained in cranberries that affect blood pressure. Let's list these unique substances using the table.

The low-growing evergreen shrub with dignity justifies the title of sour doctor given by the people in gratitude. However, despite all the benefits of this plant, it can also cause harm to the body. Let us consider the question in what case and to whom the berry of life can harm.

And also read about the effect that raspberries, rose hips, viburnum and currants have on blood pressure

Do cranberries reduce blood pressure?

At one time there was an opinion that cranberries increase blood pressure. Medical experiments, first on mice and then on humans, have irrefutably proven this to be wrong. Not only does cranberry not raise blood pressure, but with regular consumption of the berry itself and drinks made from it, many manage to forget about hypertension, since the causes leading to it are eliminated:

• blood vessels are cleansed, which normalizes blood flow;
• swelling goes away, the amount of fluid in the body returns to normal.

Advice! Taking this natural medicine in the early stages of the disease is especially effective.

But for those whose disease has progressed, cranberry will bring undoubted benefits against high blood pressure.

Contraindications for use

If you have any of the conditions listed below, use should be avoided or used with caution.

• Hypotension.
• Stomach or duodenal ulcer.
• Urolithiasis disease.
• Hypersensitivity of tooth enamel.
• Gout.
• Individual intolerance.
• Pancreatitis.
• Gastritis.
• Increased acidity.

Restrictions

During pregnancy, the consumption of berries should be limited, however, you should not completely refuse.

The increased risk of allergic reactions explains the refusal of the plant's fruits during breastfeeding. For the same reason, eating cranberries is not recommended for young children under three years of age.

For people with low blood pressure, eating cranberries can cause serious complications. The substances included in the composition provoke a decrease in blood pressure!

Cranberry for hypotension

Hypotension is a disease characterized by a decrease in blood pressure. The cause may be injury to the spine or brain, stress, neuroses, hypofunction of the adrenal glands.

Unfortunately, cranberries in their pure form do not treat hypotension. But combining berries with other ingredients may act to increase blood pressure.

How to use for hypertension?

Traditional medicine is famous for its many healing recipes based on cranberries. However, for each disease, there are centuries-tested proportions and effective methods of preparation that allow you to preserve the beneficial properties of the plant. Here are the most common and popular examples of recipes.

Any plant used as a medicine has contraindications that should not be forgotten.

In its purest form

During heat treatment, beneficial substances are usually destroyed and are of no benefit. Therefore, with high blood pressure, cranberries are often consumed in fresh, frozen and dry form, adding them to the daily menu. An immediate effect cannot be expected during a hypertensive crisis. With regular use, the plant reduces the number of relapses, helps prevent complications and reduce the use of medications.

And also read on our website: How does clove affect blood pressure: does it increase or decrease? Useful properties and treatment

Morse

Cranberry juice is popular as a remedy that effectively reduces high blood pressure. It cannot be prepared for future use.

To prepare a healing drink you need:

1. Mash two glasses of berries and add 1.5 liters of water.
2. Bring to a boil, leave on fire for 2-3 minutes.
3. Next, strain, squeeze the juice from the berries and add sugar or honey to taste.
4. Take ½ glass twice a day.

A similar drink is prepared from a frozen product, which retains all the beneficial substances in unchanged quantities. The remaining berries after pressing can be eaten. They contain a large amount of nutrients and fiber.

Berry and honey mixture

This recipe is considered one of the most effective remedies for hypertension.

The recipe is simple:

1. Fresh or frozen fruits must be chopped using a blender or meat grinder.
2. And then combine with an equal amount of honey.

The resulting mixture must be stored in a cool place; the refrigerator will be the best solution. Take the medicine for 60 days, one tablespoon three times a day before meals.

Heat treatment leads to loss of healing properties.

Beet juice with cranberries

Another recipe for an effective remedy for high blood pressure is made from beets and cranberries.

To prepare it you will need:

1. 100 grams of cranberries.
2. Freshly squeezed medium beet juice.

These ingredients are simultaneously placed in the juicer. The resulting juice can be sweetened to taste with sugar or honey and drunk immediately after preparation on an empty stomach.

If you do not have an allergic reaction to natural honey, it will enhance the effect of cranberries and in addition enrich the body with useful substances.

Cranberry infusion

A fairly effective remedy is cranberry infusions, which are prepared from fresh and juicy fruits or a frozen product is used. You can use alcohol, vodka or moonshine as an alcoholic base.

And also read on our website: How to quickly normalize blood pressure using folk remedies: simple and effective recipes

There are several ways to prepare it; here is an example of a classic tincture:

1. To prepare it, you need to mash the fruits and mix them with a small amount of sugar.
2. Next, transfer the resulting mixture into a bottle and fill it with alcohol or vodka in a ratio of 1 cup of product to 2 cups of liquid.
3. The infusion, stored in a dark and cool place, will be ready within a week.
4. It must be strained before use.

An infusion in small quantities can not only effectively reduce high blood pressure, but also prevent heart disease. It perfectly cleanses blood vessels and reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Hypertensive patients are recommended to take 20 ml of infusion three times a day before meals. If the drink turns out to be strong, it can be diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio.

Alcohol enhances the medicinal properties of the plant, so before using this folk remedy, you should consult your doctor and check the safe dosage.

The use of cranberries for the prevention and normalization of blood pressure

Cranberry juice

One of the advantages of this berry is that cranberries lower blood pressure quite gently, but at the same time effectively. To relieve the symptoms of hypertension at the initial stage, it is enough to regularly drink cranberry juice.

This red berry lowers blood pressure thanks to its diuretic effect.

We prepare it according to this recipe:

1. Wash 300–400 g of cranberries and mash them to a puree.
2. Pour the resulting mass into a glass of hot water (200–250 ml).
3. Leave for 20–30 minutes, then squeeze and strain through cheesecloth.
4. To make drinking fruit drink more pleasant, you should add a teaspoon of honey to it.

To normalize blood pressure, it is advisable to drink half a glass of fruit drink 3-4 times a day. Usually it is drunk half an hour before meals, but if you have problems with the gastrointestinal tract, you can drink fruit drink diluted with water (1:1) after meals.

Cranberries with honey and other ingredients

In addition to fruit drinks, you can also prepare delicious mixtures based on cranberries. Here is the simplest recipe:

1. Grind 250 g of fresh or defrosted berries in a blender.
2. Melt 200 g of honey in a water bath and mix with cranberries.
3. Place the resulting mass in a glass jar and store in the refrigerator.

It is equally effective to simply eat cranberries every day, grated with honey or granulated sugar.

Taking 1 tablespoon of the mixture 15 minutes before meals will not only normalize blood pressure, but also improve the general condition of the body.

There is another option for preparing a healthy mixture:

1. We wash 2 lemons and 2 oranges, after which we pass the citruses through a meat grinder (always along with the zest).
2. Add 300–400 g of grated cranberries to the mixture, then stir until smooth.
3. If the composition seems too sour to you, you can sweeten it with honey (no more than 1 tablespoon).

The mixture should be stored and consumed in the same way as the previous one.

How to reduce blood pressure at home

First of all, you need to measure your blood pressure to make sure that the symptoms caused (weakness, nausea, drowsiness, dizziness) are associated with it. If the indicator is 130/85 or more, this is really high blood pressure, i.e. state of hypertension. To deal with it, it is recommended:

1. Sit or lie down, calm down, close your eyes.
2. Open the window, if it’s hot, turn on the air conditioning.
3. Take a deep, smooth breath, counting to 5. Moreover, the stomach should participate in breathing - to make sure of this, you need to put your hand on it. Exhale and count to 5 again. Repeat several such cycles for 3-5 minutes.
4. Next, when you feel better, you need to pour noticeably hot water into a basin (temperature 45 degrees) and put your feet in it for 5-10 minutes. It’s good to do a similar procedure for your hands. Thanks to this, the vessels of the extremities will expand and the pressure will drop by several units.
5. Then you can hold your hands under a tap with cool (but not ice-cold) water.
6. At the final stage, it is useful to massage the collar area - at the base of the neck, head, and shoulder area. After this, move on to the stomach and chest.